Is this the correct location of a 70 Seatbelt?

[Alexandra #40022]

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone could tell me whether the placement/mounting of my shoulder seat belt retractor is in the correct place in the rear?

The seat belt codes seem ok for my car (69 date code).

See the pics below: I have a 1970 coupe, an EARLY (JAN) 1970 Coupe.



Am I missing trim bits (like the retractor seat belt covers?) ?

I want to restore my vette as best as I can.....or at least de-bubbafy what I can.

Thanks for your help.

Alex

[Terry M.]

Re: Is this the correct location of a 70 Seatbelt?

That looks like a 1969 installation, I think.

How early is your 1970?

I would expect the seat belt to be on a horizontal surface, on the top of the wheel well and for there to be a trim piece around it.

[Alexandra #40022]

Is this the correct location of a 70 Seatbelt?

Its a January 1970 - I think around 2000th 1970 produced....so wouldn't that be a reason why my 1970 may be mounted as the 69???
I just don't see why anyone would go to the trouble of drilling new holes and mounting it somewhere else!

[Terry M.]

Re: Is this the correct location of a 70 Seatbelt?

I agree that owner inspired seatbelt relocation is unlikely -- unless the car has been clipped. That is the rear from another car is spliced in order to repair body damage. The 1969 location makes opening the storage compartments difficult, which would add to the lack of logic for the change. The fasteners on the underside of the body are difficult to add/change while the body is on the car. Are the side marker lights the same size front to rear?

We need someone more versed in early C3 interiors to add their knowledge to this discussion. The location shown in your photo may even be for early 1969. I have a January built 1970 (#2161) and the shoulder belts are located differently than yours. I am unsure if all of 1969 had the location yours are showing, or if it changed during the model year. That might even be the 1968 location as well as early 1969 -- I am just not that knowledgeable about interiors.

[Jim T.]

Re: Is this the correct location of a 70 Seatbelt?

Terry has a earlier 70 than my July 8th built unit and my shoulder belts are mounted on the front of the wheelwell area and do have a protective plastic covering like he stated to keep the reel protected for a safe operation. What is mounted on your seat belt installation location inside the wheel well for a secure mounting location to keep the bolt from being pulled out? As for the build date of your 70 coupe, what is imprinted on the metal tag attached to the body at the front of your passenger door? Look for a letter and either one or two numbers.

[Tony H.]

Re: Is this the correct location of a 70 Seatbelt?

Jim,
Don't you mean the front of your driver's side door jam near the hinges? That's where mine is on my 70 July coupe, as best I recall. Also, a date should also be on the blue sticker on your driver's side door.

[Terry M.]

69 vs70 Shoulder belt mounts

Reba Whittington is unable to post to this thread, so she asked me to post this for her:

"The mounting shown is what is usual for 1969. This was the first year for shoulder belt retractors and GM chose a poor location for the mounting. It is almost impossible to open the outer storage compartments all the way. That is why the mounting was moved over the wheel well in 1970. I have never seen either year with anything other than what is typical for the year.

What model number is on the belt? These are different in 1969 and 1970. The covers are different and I think the retractors are also."

[Jim T.]

Re: Is this the correct location of a 70 Seatbelt?

You are so right Tony, I did mean to include it this way when I posted. Good point out about the blue sticker. My blue sticker only has 7-70, does not have the day information. Just took another look at my blue sticker, do you know what the C is for after the VIN number? Never really paid any attention to it in the last 35 years.

[Alexandra #40022]

my seat belt codes and car build date

Well first I want to thank everyone for their responses....Im really enjoying learning more and more about these awesome cars.

My mechanic gave my car a good looking over - and he made a point to mention to me that there seems no be no evidence of damage/accident etc. (and he is a very knowledgeable mechanic).
So, maybe we can rule out the half cut possibility? (I hope!)

My VIN is #2248.

My Trim Tag code is: A 29

My Seat belt codes (for both drive and passenger) are: Model # c13 - 52 B 69

This is really weird...isn't it? As I said before, I just don't see why anyone would move these belts to this location from the original? (unless they took the belts from a 69 and just copied what they saw in the 69?)

They are mounted in the side of the hump (as you can see from the pic)...and yeah it is an inconvenient location...I can see why they changed the location in 1970 (just maybe not on my 1970!).

I will have to try to take a look at the top of the hump and see if there is any indication that it was mounted there previously. (I had a 'feel' through the carpet but can't feel anything).

I bought my vette from Nevada about 4 months ago.....and now just recently arrived in Sydney. I would like to restore it as best as I can.

Thanks for any help or information you can give.

Cheers,
Alex

[Chas Henderson #28127]

Re: my seat belt codes and car build date

Purchase an Assembly instruction manual. That should help you with your question and many more to come.

Chasman

[Alexandra #40022]

my seat belt codes and car build date

Hi Chas,

Ive got an assembly manual...it doesn't help in this particular situation.

The AIMs I do agree are an excellent tool to have.

[Pat K.]

Re: my seat belt codes and car build date

Alexandra,

I have a Feb built '69 and the rear seat belt anchors are located in the wheel wells. I've also had the oppotunity to go thru a very early '69 (October '68 build) and they're located in the wheel wells too. I've never seen this set up in '69. All '69's have tags sewn in that are dated. If these belts are NOT dated then they are probably aftermarket.

Pat

[Alexandra #40022]

my seat belt codes and car build date

Hi Pat,

Thanks for your reply.

If you notice in my previous post I mentioned the date Codes of my seat belts (52 B 69) and the build date of my vette (A 29).

Are you saying the location of the belts you have seen in the 69 are the same as mine or different? (sorry I didn't quite understand)...because someone else said that their 69 is the same as my 70.

Im even more confused than ever!

[Pat K.]

Re: my seat belt codes and car build date

Alexandria,

Sorry, long day at Carlisle, and I quickly read your post. The set up you have pictured I've NEVER seen on a '69.

What you have pictured could have been a '70 model year introduction, but it seems more complicated than the '69, and doesn't make sense. Your TMJG should clearly state where the shoulder belts are located. My '69 TMJG states "...attached over the rear wheel well"

Your local NCRS chapter should be able to help. If not, contact Charlie from Seat Belt Sity. He's a seat belt expert. He's located in Bedminster, NJ, and would know for sure. I don't have his number handy, but it's in the archives.

Pat

[Terry M.]

Re: Is this the correct location of a 70 Seatbelt?

Jim,
1969-E1972 Certification labels were imprinted from the Protect-O-Plate. The C is a part of the other adjacent information on the POP and was due to mis-alignment of the POP plate, the carbon paper or whatever transfer medium was used, and the blue label. If you have your POP you can hold it up to the blue label and see how it all fits together.